BENFLEET Running Club and Leigh on Sea Striders were both celebrating victories in the South Essex Cross-Country League after the final fixture at Hadleigh Country Park on Sunday.

Both clubs looked odds-on to seal the division one and division two titles respectively after sitting top of the standings going into the fifth and final round.

And they wrapped up the wins in style by winning their divisions in the last race of the campaign.

Strength-in-depth was key for Benfleet who had James Hiscock (sixth) and Paul Ruffy (ninth) in the top 10 at Hadleigh.

On the women’s side, Dominique Ballard was second, Charmaine Sterling fourth and Lucy Thompson fifth.

LoSS, who hosted the final fixture at Hadleigh, were almost as strong as Benfleet, gaining promotion to division one in their first year in the league.

Their first finisher was Adam Lysons in 12th with men’s captain (and course creator) Dean Ovel in 20th.

There were a lot of blue vests packing high up in the women’s race with Stephanie Simpson (third), Andrea Hughes (seventh), Katie Spicer (ninth) and Hollie Boyd (10th) all cracking the top 10.

LoSS chairman Mark Dobson said: “Thank you to everyone who was part of another victorious cross country season, full of fantastic LoSS team spirit, exceptional performances and lots of grit and determination.” He also thanked the marshals for the day, saying: “It was fantastic to see club members turn up to help set up on Saturday and again in the early hours of Sunday to stand out in the rain and cheer people around.”

Billericay Striders finished second in division one and had a one-two in the men’s race on Sunday as Crispian Bloomfield won it and George Elliott was second.

On top of that, Kieran O’Doherty was seventh and Kurtis Swan eighth.

Billericay’s first woman finisher was Nicola O’Doherty in 16th.

East Essex Tri were third in division one and had an individual win to celebrate from Hayley Hawes who was the first female back.

Harrison Smith was third and Gary Poulter ninth for EET in the men’s race.

Castle Point Joggers finished their season off well with third place in division two.

Their first runner home was Ben Avery in 45th place with Christina Edwards leading the ladies home in 34th spot.